Tottenham's move towards their £400million new stadium has edged another step closer after the club's plans were approved by the Mayor of London.

Spurs hope to throw open the doors to their 61,000 capacity home for the 2018-19 season and Boris Johnson has now given the thumbs up to the scheme, which received the backing of Haringey Council in December.

Designs for the new state-of-the-art base include a 17,000-seater single tier stand as well as a retractable pitch that will allow Tottenham to host NFL matches.

Work has already started on the new stadium, which is placed just next door to the current White Hart Lane home, and chairman Daniel Levy is delighted to have received Johnson's seal of approval.

Levy said: "This marks yet another major milestone for this vital and complex scheme and we are grateful to the Mayor for his ongoing support. We remain focused on completing the final stages of the planning process.

Go ahead: Boris Johnson has given his blessing to the plans (Image: PA)

"This new scheme carries enormous public benefits and will play a key role in kick-starting place change, bringing exceptional opportunities for the local community and wider stakeholders.

"We are proud to be part of this important step forward for an area that has been our home for more than 130 years and where we shall continue to live and play our part."

The stadium plans are considered central to the ongoing regeneration of Tottenham, with City Hall already investing £28m in the surrounding area.

Johnson said: "White Hart Lane is already an iconic stadium, steeped in history, and the new venue will not only almost double its capacity, but provide world-class facilities to watch Premier League football, international sports events and concerts in the heart of the capital.